Toyota Becomes World's Top Automaker Amid VW Scandal

As sales dwindle Volkswagen loses its title as world’s top automaker due to the diesel emissions scandal.

Volkswagen is no longer the top automaker in the world. The recent diesel emissions cheating scandal has seen a drop in the sales of the VW cars. As a result Toyota has taken over the title of the top automaker in the world.

It is likely VW will see a further dent in its sales even as it tries to contain the scandal. Volkswagen has sold about 7.43 million vehicles from January to September 2015. Toyota on the other hand has sold 7.40 million vehicles in the same time period. Volkswagen remained the top automaker of the world for three months only in 2015.

After the emissions cheating scandal broke out the sales of the German cars dwindled. One of the reasons why Volkswagen fell from the No.1 position is the ban on the sales of VW diesel vehicles.

After VW was caught cheating emission tests it admitted to tampering its software. The German company which also owns Audi and Porsche had software which falsified emissions tests. The software showed 40 percent less emission rates when being tested. 20 percent of Volkswagen sales came from its diesel vehicle models.

The scandal broke out in mid-September and had an impact on the sales. The impact on sales back then was not very substantial. It is believed the new sale numbers will be more damaging for VW.

So it’s a safe bet to assume Toyota will reign the world auto market in the final quarter of 2015. Toyota on the other hand was involved in the Takata airbag recall like almost all automakers. Otherwise the automaker has had no problems with its emission or engine systems.